GRAMMAR

I. Word order: adverbs with the verb.

_{Mid position is the usual position for adverbs of indefinite frequency, adverbs of degree, adverbs of certainty, one-word adverbs of time, even and only:}

Adverbs of indefinite frequency	Always, frequently, generally, hardly ever, never, normally, occasionally, often, rarely, seldom, sometimes, usually
Adverbs of degree	Absolutely, almost, completely, entirely, just, hardly, partly, quite, rather, really, slightly, totally
Adverbs of certainty	Certainly, definitely, probably
One-word adverbs of time	Already, finally, immediately, just, now, no longer, soon, still, then

_{With a simple verb we put the adverb between the subject and the verb, but with simple forms of be the adverb goes after the verb:}

_{e.g. She always arrives by taxi and she is always on time.}

_{If there is a modal verb or an auxiliary verb we put the adverb after the (first) auxiliary verb.}

_{e.g. You can just see the coast. Sea eagles have occasionally been seen around Loch Lomond.}

_{These adverbs go after do or not:}

_{e.g. They don’t really understand my point of view.}

_{NB But we put sometimes, still, certainly, definitely and probably before a negative auxiliary:}

_{e.g. I sometimes don’t understand his arguments. He still hasn’t convinced me.}

_{In spoken English, if we want to emphasise an auxiliary verb or a simple form of be, we can put a mid position adverb before it. The auxiliary verb (underlined) is usually stressed. Compare:}

_{e.g. I don’t really like him. (unmarked position = I slightly dislike him.) I really don’t like him. (emphatic position = I hate him.)}

_{NB We do not use other time adverbs (definite time or frequency) in mid position. They go in front or final position:}

_{e.g. These days I take my health much more seriously. We buy our lunch at that sandwich bar on the corner every day.}

_{If there are several adverbs in final position, we usually follow a sequence of adverbs of manner, then place, and finally time:}

_{e.g. The statue was lifted (carefully) (onto the plinth) (before the ceremony).}

1. These sentences are all taken from real recorded conversations.

Can you put the adverbs in the right places?

1. You are here when something happens, (usually)

2. Her mum cooks a meal in the evening, (always)

3. We book that April holiday in January, (usually)

4. They think that we have got bread, (probably)

5. You should look where you're going, (always)

6. She is going to stay overnight, (probably)

7. Chocolate cakes are the best, (definitely)

8. I will be able to get it cheaper, (probably)

9. I have had an illness in my life, (never)

10. We saw sweets in those days, (never)

11. I remember buying some, (definitely)

12. Do you read upside down? (usually)

13. I can manage to get there, (usually)

14. She has done that before, (never)

15. Something is burning, (definitely)

16. She has been nervous, (always)

17. I feel cold in your house, (never)

18. They were against me. (always)

19. We are going to win. (definitely)

20. February is the worst, (usually)

21. It is very difficult, (sometimes)

22. I buy them in boxes, (always)

23. I have tried to find it. (often)

24. She saw this ghost, (often)

25. You are right, (probably)